I just posted another question but this one is so different I wanted to make a different topic.
I was diagnosed with Chiari about 8 months ago, 5mm. With csf flow slowed down around the herniation. I am active and a busy mom. I have a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old so when my symptoms kicked in 8mo ago it threw my world off track. Needless to say I’ve been miserable and have been racing to feel better so I can be my active self and be my bubbly happy fun mom self.
meds only helped a little, so on and so on. I found a surgeon I am happy with and am scheduled for 5/24 surgery. Well after 8 month of suffering, 2 weeks ago, the pressure went from a bowling ball in my head, to barely there. And my headaches aren’t as frequent. I’m having other symptoms a little double vision shaking eyes and pots. But why is this happening right before surgery, why am I feeling a little better??? I’m even not as fatigued! Anyone ? Maybe my question is not so much as WHY but has anyone experienced this, it is confusing going into surgery feeling a little relief. Although the why would be nice i’m just asking if others have insight or have had this happen
Hey Cremenn,
Why? there could be any number of reasons. It could be a progression of symptoms, your double vision and shaking eyes can be a certain sign of progression, but as for the reduction in headaches… …I’m really not sure. What ever caused the reduction… …I want it lol (I have to manage daily nauseating HA). The retention of fluid causes a condition called hydrocephalus and there is such a thing as positional hydrocephalus where when you are laying the fluid can communicate and drain, where when you are standing or upright the aquaduct (Drainpipe) can be blocked. I have had a similar positional hydro issue and the only suggestion made by the medicos was “ahhh, well don’t lay down for more than 8hrs and you should be fine”. Let’s just say I was less than impressed with the suggestion.
So the fluid can move around better/unblock temporarily you’re saying? But ultimately stays blocked, when you’re back in position? So you feel some pressure relief when it moves?
I can totally relate!! Before my surgery, I had spells like this too. It wasn’t the same every day; some days were terrible and some were ok. In fact a couple weeks before my surgery, I had a “good spell” and really thought about canceling it because the thought of neurosurgery was terrifying and I hoped I was just miraculously cured based on how I was feeling. The thing is though - at least for me - the bad spells always came back, and the good spells never lasted long. I think that comes with the territory of being chronically ill. Of course this is just my experience and I don’t know the details of yours, but for me it was more like wishful thinking and surgery was the right call!